News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Sunday, February 28, 2010

I normally do not toot the business horns of friends, but I am going to make an exception for my friend, Sophie de Roumanie, who runs ArmorPix, which "is an innovative and dynamic business created in 2009 and based in Central Brittany, France.

ArmorPix specializes in quality, people to people real estate ads on the internet. ArmorPix also excels in detailed photographs of art, jewelry and other valuable objects for insurances purposes." Her website is in French and in English. The business is based in Britanny, which will appeal to French readers of Royal Musings.

This is a dynamic idea, and Sophie has the photographic gifts to make ArmorPix a great success.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Prince Oscar of Sweden, the second son of the King of Norway and Sweden, recently made an appearance in Copenhagen as a "mission preacher for the Young Men's Christian Association of Stockholm," according to the New York Times. The prince's wife also addressed the audience of about 2,000 people. Both the "Prince and Princess speak fluently and simply."

Former King Michael of Roumania will be visiting the United States in March, and his visit may "turn into a house hunting expedition," the Chicago Tribune reports. The dispatch is based on reports in "court circles."Michael and his mother, Queen Helen, will be spending several weeks in the United States in what is described as an "exploratory trip." If all goes well, he will return to the States later with his new wife, Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma.The wedding is expected to take place in the summer in Copenhagen. Anne's mother, Princess Margrethe, was born a princess of Denmark.Members of the British Royal Family "had a chance to get a first class fill-in on the romance" between Michael and Anne after the arrival in London of Anne's first cousin, Prince Georg of Denmark, 28, who was Anne's "greatest admirer" until last November when Anne was introduced to Michael, who was in London to attend the wedding of Princess Elizabeth's wedding.Prince Georg was also a guest at the wedding. Upon his return, he asked King Frederik to "relieve him of duty about the castle as a lieutenant in the royal life guards." The King agreed, and Prince Georg is now in London as a military attache at the Danish Embassy. The "long faced" Danish prince arrived in London by train, and was apparently "scowling over rumors" that he was renewing a friendship with Princess Margaret Rose.

Archduke Otto, the "claimant to the nonexistent throne of Austria, today obtained a visa from the U.S. Embassy and is expected to fly from Lisbon, Portugal, to the United States this week," the Associated Press reports.Otto "hopes to enlist" American Catholics "in his campaign for the Austrian throne.

Princess Miguel de Braganza "has leased for the long term a large corner apartment in 1,107 Fifth Avenue at Ninety-second Street." The Princess is the former Anita Rhinelander Stewart. She married Prince Miguel in September 1909. They eventually settled in New York City, where the prince died in 1923. They had three children, Nada, John and Michael.

Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia and his wife, Grand Duchess Anastasia, are guests of the Italian sovereigns in Rome and are "taking the keenest of interest in the attitude of the Entente Powers toward Russia." Grand Duchess Anastasia is Queen Elena's sister.

By special cable to the New York World and the Chicago Tribune, and based on a letter from Vienna, dated February 23. "It is reported the government has seized a greater portion of today's issue of the Wiener Tageblatt, because it published a story of a secret morganatic marriage of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir presumptive to the Austrian throne."Ferdinand is said to have been a long time in love with the Countess Sofie Chouk [sic] and the story declares that two months ago the Archduke arrange to marry her at a small village in south Hungary, but that Emperor Franz Josef discovered the scheme and thwarted it."According to the letter, on February 5, the Archduke found a priest in a convent near Styria, who was willing marry the couple. The ceremony took place the next day, aalthough "regular news agencies and the official papers deny the story."

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Princess Margarete of Bourbon-Parma has filed suit against Revillion Freres, Parisian furriers, for 2 million francs, the Chicago Daily Tribune reports. The 2 million francs is the value of a mink coat that Margarete stored at the furriers in 1941. The Germans, than occupying Paris, seized the coat to "send to a freezing German general on the Russian front."The princess wants the money or another fur coat, which she will give to her daughter, Anne, as a wedding present. Princess Anne is engaged to marry the exiled King Michael of Roumania.Revillion states that Princess Margarete "should be paid out of German reparations."

Princess Maria Gabriella of Italy, one day old daughter of Crown Prince Umberto and Crown Princess Marie José, has been given six more names, according to the Associated Press. Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi, archbishop of Naples, was the officiant at the "preliminary baptism in the pink tinted nursery" at the royal family's Naples palace. The names he gave to the princess are Gennaro, for Naples' patron saint; Adelaide, Adelgonda and Giuesppina for relatives of her mother, the former Princess Marie José of Belgium; Felicia for her saint's day and Margherita, for different members of the Italian royal family. The new princess' paternal grandmother was Queen Margherita of Italy, who was married to King Umberto. Two more names will be announced later, according to the Associated Press dispatch.

By wireless to the New York Times. Queen Elena of Italy to visited the Dowager Queen Marie of Roumania at Merano in the Italian Tyrol. Queen Marie, the widow of King Ferdinand, is "convalescing after her grave illness." Marie is said to be "progressing rapidly."

Roumanian officials are indignant with the recent comments made to English newspapers by Count Alexander von Hochberg. The count, who is the son of the Prince and Princess of Pless, stated that he was never sentenced "to a prison term for any offense whatsoever," reports the New York Times. The count remains insistent that he is still engaged to Princess Ileana, and he will be meeting with her in Egypt."Authoritative circles" state that Alexander's "denial was not acceptable," and make it clear that the "dissolution of the engagement would be announced soon." The accusations against the count "would be found to have been well grounded."Bucharest newspapers are "irritated" by the Count's denial. Although the newspapers have not yet published the details about the "whole affair," they threatened, "if further interviews of the kind are published, they will retaliate by publishing "details of his conduct while in Bucharest."It as also been announced that the Dowager Queen Marie and Princess Ileana will extend their trip to Egypt by visiting Syria and Palestine. They are not expected to return to Roumania until May 1.

The news dispatch about the sudden death of Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich VI of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was received in Amsterdam by Atlantic Cable and the Associated Press. The Duke, who was born in 1882, died at Neu Strelitz. He succeeded his father in 1914.
According to the New York Times, which reports that the Grand Duke's death was announced in a dispatch from Neu Strelitz. Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich committed suicide. His body was "found in a small lake, "with a gunshot wound in the breast." The Berlin Lokal-Anzeiger stated: "Sad experiences, about which, as about everything, the Grand Duke was silent and reserved, affected him perhaps more deeply than his entourage imagined."
The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz left his castle on Saturday for a walk. When he did not return, a search was made, and his body was found.
Adolf Friedrich was the third child and first son of Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich V and Princess Elisabeth of Anhalt. The late Grand Duke has two older sisters, Marie, who is the wife of Prince Julius zur Lippe, and Jutta, who is married to the exiled King Danilo of Montenegro. A younger brother, Karl Borwin, was killed in a duel with Princess Marie's first husband, Count Jametel, whom she divorced later that year.
The succession to the Grand Duchy will now be in question. The Grand Duke's father's first cousin, Duke Georg Alexander, who was the son of Duke Georg and Grand Duchess Catherine of Russia, married a Russian commoner, Natalia Vanljarskaya, who was created Countess von Carlow.
Georg Alexander died in 1909. His marriage is considered morganatic, and his son, who is also named Georg Alexander, is not eligible to succeed to the Grand Ducal title.

Princess Cantacuzene is doing "much better," said her aunt, Mrs. Potter Palmer. Mrs. Palmer, who lives in Chicago, told the New York Times that she has received a cable from St. Petersburg. "Her temperature is lower, and her condition has changed materially for the better. She will recover." The former Miss Julia Grant married Prince Cantacuzene last September. She and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Russia. The princess' mother, Mrs. Frederick Grant, is en route to Russia to be with her daughter.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Princess Feodore of Leiningen, the daughter of the Duchess of Kent, was married today to the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg at the Duchess' residence at Kensington Palace.
Large crowds gathered outside the palace in "expectation of beholding their beloved Sovereign," King George IV, who gave the bride away, reported the account in the Court Circular.
The "bells of Kensington church struck up a merry peal" near the time of the marriage ceremony. "White favours of the largest size" were distributed to servants and those involved in the preparation of the wedding. The wedding cake was also "liberally supplied."
Members of the Royal Family were arrived at Kensington Palace after 2 p.m., and were received at the entrance to the Grand Hall by Sir John Conroy, whose official position is principal Equerry and Private Secretary to the Duchess of Kent. The members of the Royal Family who were present were the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke and Duchess of Glocester (at the time the spelling of the name), the Princess Sophia, the Princess Sophia Matilda and Prince Leopold, "being the whole of the Royal Family in England, with the exception of Princess Augusta, who is at Brighton."
The wedding took place in the Vestibule of the Grand Saloon, where a temporary altar was set up. Dr. Kepler, the chaplain of the Royal German Chapel, "united the illustrious parties according to the services of the Lutheran Church."
Others present at the wedding included the bride's brother, the Prince of Leiningen and Princess Emilie of Carolath, and the "principal attendants" of the Duchess of Kent, including Sir John and Lady Conroy, Baroness Spaeth and Baroness Lehzen."
Princess Feodore and her "Royal sister the Princess Victoria, were dressed entirely in articles of British manufacture -- their dresses were of Buckinghamshire thread lace."
Although the King was expected to attend, Princess Feodore was given away by his brother, the Duke of Clarence. The new Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg is 19, and her husband, is 31 years old.
After the wedding ceremony the "Royal party partook of a most splendid early dinner" given by the Duchess of Kent "in honour of the occasion." The guests departed about "six o'clock for their respective residences."
The newly-weds left Kensington Palace at about 8 o'clock in the evening in "a new carriage and four" for Prince Leopold's home, Claremont, where the Prince and Princess will spend their honeymoon.
Princess Feodore received a "most superb present in diamonds" from King George IV, and a "variety of valuable presents of jewellery from other members of the Royal Family."
Prince Leopold, who is the widower of the late Princess Charlotte and brother of the Duchess of Kent, left for Paris, where he will stay for several days.

[Yes, I realize this is not an event for the 24th, but I discovered it when researching something else. Only a week late.]

The Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria, arrived at Windsor today "to leave his children with the Queen," reports the New York Times. The Duke is going to Russia, to "accompany the Duchess home." The Duchess of Edinburgh is the former Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, the daughter of Alexander II. The Court Circular notes that "Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Princesses Marie, Victoria and Alexandra of Edinburgh have arrived at the Castle on a visit to Her Majesty."

[The Duke of Edinburgh returned to Clarence House on March 14, and Duchess of Edinburgh "is expected to return from St. Petersburg towards the end of next month or early in May."]

New details are emerging about the recent abdication of King Michael of Roumania. The Associated Press is reporting that Roumanian premier Petru Groza used a gun to force Michael to sign the act of abdication. The report is based on an informant who left Romania following the king's abdication. He said that Groza "carried a pistol inside his jacket when he handed the abdication for Michael to sign. The following is the informant's account:"An associate of the King who tried to use the telephone discovered the line was cut. Simultaneously it was found that the palace grounds were full of plain-clothes agents of the Communist-led government. The special palace guards had been replaced by detachments of the Tudor Vladimirescu division, a special Communist of the army organized from prisoners captured by the Russians."Michael stepped to the window and verified reports from his assistants of the situation."it was then that Groza "ostentatiously swung back his jacket, and let the King see the pistol."King Michael had no choice, but to sign the document.

King Victor Emmanuel of Italy today granted amnesty to "thousands of Italian non-political prisoners" in honor of the birth of his newest granddaughter, Princess Maria Gabriella.Crown Princess Maria José gave birth to her third child at Nap;es. The entire country is celebrating the birth. The Crown Princess, who is the wife of Crown Prince Umberto, and her eight-pound ten-ounce daughter "were doing well. The two other children are Princess Maria Pia, 5, and 3-year-old Prince Victor Emmanuel, who is second in line to the throne.

London's Daily Mail today published a Cannes dispatch, which quotes Count Alexander von Hochberg, according to the AP. The Count says that the stories about his engagemnt with Princess Ileana has been broken were "fabrications of the Rumanian Government, which wants the Princess to marry a Crown Prince.""We love each," Alexander declared. "I have done nothing to be ashamed of. My fiancée knows me well enough to trust me. We are going to be married in Bucharest April 27. I am going to Pless and London andthence to Cairo and will return to Cannes about March 25 with the Princess."Count Alexander was also asked about the reports of his "imprisonment in Germany." He acknowledged that "there was a certain amount of truth in them," but the "affair had occured when he was a boy and his father regarded it as blackmail." His father could have paid hush money, but he preferred to "take it into court." Alexander said he was not sent to prison, but he had to pay a "nominal fee."

Monaco's eighty strong army remained mobilized today following the friction caused by the continuing marital difficulties between Princess Charlotte, the heir to the throne, and her husband, Prince Pierre, reports the Los Angeles Times.No disturbances "were reported."Prince Pierre is popular with the Monegasque population. A "mass meeting of voters" instructed Monte Carlo's mayor to convey to the Prince their regret and to "express the real sentiments of the population in this crisis the dynasty is traversing.Both Charlotte and Pierre have filed suits for a marital separation with Monaco's council. The majority of the council have resigned "rather than sit in the case." There are no plans for divorce as the prince and princess are Catholic, but each have said they will seek an annulment of the marriage.Princess Charlotte, who is the daughter of Louis II, and the former Count Pierre de Polignac, were married in 1920. They have two children, Princess Antoinette and Prince Rainier.The AP reports that the Prince and Princess today met at the home of the Duchess of Vendome in Cannes, where they spent time with their children. They also spent an hour discussing their marital difficulties, but made no attempt toward a reconciliation. Princess Charlotte will continue her separation suit, which she filed in Nice yesterday, while her estranged husband "elects to abide by the decision of the Monaco Council."

There appear to be conflicting reports about the marital situation. Monte Carlo's mayor Eugene Marguet told The Associated Press's correspondent tonight that the Princess' dispute with her husband would "probably never reach the courts." The mayor expected the marriage to be settled by a "civil family agreement." He also believed that Prince Pierre would be name as regent for his son, Prince Rainier.""Princess Charlotte has not returned home, as has been reported in the newspapers," the mayor said. "Her whereabouts are unknown, but we think she is in Italy. She cannot sue the Prince, nor he her, outside Monaco. I have discussed te question with Prince Louis this afternoon and believe the matter can be arranged satisfactorily."Charlotte's father, Louis II, continues to refuse all requests for interviews. Tonight, his butler told reporters that the Prince was "eating such a fine lobster he couldn't be disturbed over State affairs."

The former Crown Prince Carol of Roumania arrived in Paris this afternoon for "a series of important conferences," according to the New York Times. Carol, whose renunciation "caused a sensation in Europe," was not alone on the train. Accompanying him is Mme. Lupescu, "the beautiful young Rumanian girl, whose friendship" with Carol "has caused widespread gossip in European courts.Prince Carol was "surprised and annoyed" by the large contingent representing French and foreign reporters, photographers and "movie cameramen." He was asked questions in several languages, to which he replied in the same languages: "I cannot answer you."The reporters were eager to question Carol regarding "authoritative reports" that his break with his parents, King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, will be repaired, and his succession rights will be restored.Carol is occupying an "elaborate suite" at the Champs Elysees Hotel.

"The oft-repeated rumors of a contemplated change" to the Austro-Hungarian crown "have assumed a different form." Some of these rumors have been based on the "remarkably frequent exchanges of telegrams" between the German Emperor Wilhelm II and Franz Joseph of Austria.The two men are expected to meet tomorrow in Cape Martin on the French Riviera, "and an authentic report has reached here," regarding the succession. It is understood that the succession to the Austrian throne "will be definitely announced."Archduchess Marie Valerie, the second daughter of Franz Joseph, who is married to Archduke Franz Salvator, is said to be the person who will succeed her father, instead of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who is reported to be "dying of consumption" in Cairo.Wilhelm II apparently favors the succession of Marie Valerie. It is "well known that Franz Ferdinand and the other Archdukes have always shown bitter opposition to the Driebund."French president Faure will meet with both emperors on Friday at Cape Martin. It is not yet known what France's attitude will be toward the change in the succession."Franz Joseph's only son, Crown Prince Rudolf, died in 1889. His only child is the Archduchess Elisabeth Marie, who is 14 years old. Franz Joseph's elder daughter, Arcduchess Gisela, married in 1873 to Prince Leopold of Bavaria.Archduchess Marie Valerie was born in 1868. She married her second cousin, Archduke Franz Salvator in 1890. At the time of the marriage, Valerie renounced her right to the throne. Archduchess Marie Valerie and Archduke Franz Salvator have four children, Elisabeth Franziska, Franz Karl Salvator, Hubert Salvator and Hedwig.

Count Alexander von Hochberg, "whose engagement to Princess Ileana of Rumania has been under fire," has declined to comment about the criticism, reports the Associated Press. The Count is now in Nice, where he is staying with his mother, the Princess of Pless at the Villa Lanapoul.The Count's friends are adamant that the engagement has not been broken. They point out that "it would require several months of negotiations to arrange religious affairs connected with the marriage." Count Alexander is Roman Catholic. Princess Ileana is a member of the Orthodox church. The Count has said that he refuses "to give up his faith."

Prince Pierre of Monaco got into his automobile today for a drive to Paris. But before leaving Monte Carlo, the New York Times reported that the Prince filed for divorce against his wife, Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince Louis II. Princess Charlotte is the heir apparent to the throne.In his suit, Prince Pierre named Dr. Delmasso, head of the San Remo Sanitarium, as the corespondent. He has also demanded custody of the couple's two children, Princess Antoinette and Prince Rainier.The Prince had already began plans for a legal separation, but was hesitant about seeking a divorce as he "was uncertain how his son's status and rights would be affected." He was assured by the Monegasque Parliament, which discussed this "problem of dynastic succession," assured Prince Pierre that his son's "rights would be fully protected" if his parents "should divorce and remarry."The two children are in now in the care of the Duchess of Vendome, at her home in Cannes.It is also expected that Prince Pierre will seek an annulment of the marriage after the couple are divorced. Princess Charlotte has stated that she is eager for an annulment.The AP is reporting that the marital problems between Prince Pierre and Princess Charlotte have thrown Monaco "into turmoil," and have indirectly resulted in the enriching of the casino at San Remo, Italy."Prince Louis II has "virtually declared marital law." He has mobilized Monaco's 80 man army.Dr Delmasso is said to be a "stalking horse," as Princess Charlotte's "real ambition" is to marry "a certain prince of Bourbon-Parma," after she had gotten rid of Pierre. She is unlikely to want to lose her title and position for a "mere doctor." The prince of Bourbon-Parma is said to be linked to the Spanish royal family.Prince Pierre is also concerned about his own status. As Prince Pierre of Monaco, he is a citizen of that tiny principality, but after a divorce, he would lose his status, and return to being Prince Pierre de Polignac, a French national, which would mean he would again be a taxpayer.

Alexander Zoubkoff, the husband of Princess Victoria of Prussia, may be deported because of an incident earlier today "when he was charged with having knocked a young page boy senseless." Zoubkoff was taken to a police station in Berlin, report the Associated Press, in taxicab. He was released after his "name and address had been recorded."The young page boy told police that Zoubkoff "desired to talk in private with another guest" at a local cafe. Zoubkoff ordered the page boy to leave, but the boy replied "that he must remain on duty." It was then that Zoubkoff allegedly "knocked him down and kicked him."The page boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was examined. The examination "revealed marks of brutal treatment." He also complained of internal pain.The Princess, who is 63 years old, arrived in Berlin a few days ago. She has denied charges that her 27-year-old husband "has been leading a riotous life since their marriage." She told reporters that they 'were looking for a cozy little nest in Berlin.The page, 16, is planning to sue Zoubkoff for assault.Zouobkoff has been a regular at the Casanova Cafe, where he, "with friends of both sexes, led a gay life, drinking, singing and dancing," the New York Times reported.He was already intoxicated when he arrived at the bar after midnight. It was about 3 a.m, when he was about leave, a page offered to assist him with his coat. Zoubkoff thought the young man was trying to "hear what he was asking his lady campanion," and he ordered the page to leave the room. The page explained that "he was under orders of the manager to not leave the room." It was then that the Russian "baron" struckt the page in the face, sending him to the floor, and "immediately began kicking him."Zoubkoff denied that he kicked the young boy, saying that he "always fights fair." Police also discvoered that Zoubkoff's passport expired in December, and it has not been renewed. He was charged with "violating the regulations for foreigners" and fined 300 marks. As he has been a "man without a country" since the Russian revolution, Zoubkoff holds a Nansen passport, granted by the League of Nations.Princess Victoria "is now on the same status," and she can be deported "for her husband's apparent violation of the law," although it is not known if the authorities will "exercise their prerogative."Members of Victoria's family "see deportation as the easiest means" of getting rid of Zoubkoff, an "undesirable adjunct to the family whom they show no desire to recognize."

King George V and Queen Mary attended the christening of the son of Commander, the Hon. Alexander Ramsay of Mar and his wife, Lady Patricia. The baptism took place this afternoon at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. The water used in the baptism of the the infant "was drawn from the Jordan by the Duke of Connaught when the British crossed the river in the advance of 1917."Lady Patricia is the youngest child of the Duke of Connaught. She renounced her royal titles when she married in February 1919.Queen Alexandra, accompanied by her youngest daughter, Princess Victoria, and the Prince of Wales also attended the baptismal service.

The service began at noon. The infant was given the names Alexander Arthur Alfonso David, after his father, grandfather, the King of Spain and the Prince of Wales. The baby's sponsors were the Prince of Wales, Princess Mary, the Marquess of Carisbrooke (proxy for the Duke of Connaught), Prince Arthur of Connaught (proxy for the King Alfonso XIII of Spain), Princess Christian, Princess Helena Victoria and Commander B. Eyres-Monsell.The Princess Royal, Princess Arthur of Connaught, Princess Maud, Princess Marie Louise, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, the Earl of Athlone and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, the Marchioness of Carisbrooke, the Countess of Dalhousie (the baby's paternal grandmother), Lady Ida Ramsay, Lady Jean Ramsay, the Hon. Simon Ramsay and members of the Duke of Connaught's staff.The Prince of Wales, according to the Times of London, walked across from York House to the Chapel, "acknowledging the cheers of the large crowd, gathered outside the gateway." He was "received at the door, as were the King and Queen and Princess Mary, later, by Captain Ramsay and Canon Edgar Sheppard, Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal." Lady Patricia Ramsay was responsible for the seating arrangements.The "children" of the Chapel Royal sang two hymns: "In token that thou shalt not fear" and "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sleep."Princess Christian handed the infant to Canon Sheppard for the baptism. The Prince of Wales "presented his godson with a handsome inscribed christening cup." After the ceremony, the prince was accompanied by Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria, "walking across to York House," where they had lunch.

The Duke of Oporto, younger brother of the slain King Carlos of Portugal, is now the heir apparent to Portugal's throne, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy. His nephew, King Manoel, is young, having just turned 18, and "was looked upon as a mere schoolboy" until the assassination of the king and his eldest son, the Crown Prince. The duke is now seen as "the most important man in the kingdom."
Following his brother's death, the duke of Oporto "assumed charge of everything," and it is understood that he is the one responsible for "the reversal of the policy of the crown" and "for the dismissal of Franco from the premiership."
The duke's "one idea" is to preserve the throne for his young nephew, but "it remains to be seen," if he will be successful.
Dom Affonso, is an unmarried 43-year-old who has an aversion to being king and to marriage. However, he remains the only male heir to the throne. There is another line, the Miguelists, headed by Dom Miguel, the Duke of Braganza, who lives in exile. Dom Miguel is the only son and heir of the late ex-King Miguel, who in 1833 was forced off his throne and into exile. He and his descendants are banned "forever" from Portugal. The Duke of Braganza is "a stranger in Portugal." He was born in Austria, and is considered an Austria. Dom Miguel's mother, who is now a Benedictine nun, is not a "lady of sovereign rank, but of the noble house of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. His two eldest sons have "conducted themselves in sucgh a fashion as to lead to their being deproved of the commissions" they held in the Austrian and Saxon armies. Dom Miguel's third son is only a year old.
Other possible heirs to the Portuguese throne include the sons of the former Crown Princess of Brazil, even though their father is a member of the House of Orleans. Their grandfather was the late King Pedro II of Brazil.
The two Brazilian princes are also "entire strangers to Portugal, where they have no following whatsoever."
It is said that the Duke of Oporto has remained unmarried because of a "disappointment in love." He was once engaged to Archduchess Marie Valerie, the youngest daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph. The marriage would have been a "suitable one in every respect." The Duke, devoted to his mother, has lived a life free from scandal. He is also "good looking and goodhearted."
The engagement was broken off at "the last minute" due to the influence of Archduchess Maria Theresa, the sister of Dom Miguel. She "bitterly resented" the idea that her niece, Marie Valerie, marrying a "prince of a house which condemned her brother and her sisters to exile from Portugal. Maria Theresa's influence, which was supported by the Roman Catholic church, prevailed, and the engagement was broken.
The Duke of Oporto was "humiliated" and "profoundly distressed" as he was "greatly attached to Marie Valerie." Thus, the duke has since refused to "consider matrimony, and has "turned a deaf ear to all suggestions of marriage, either for love or for dynastic reasons." Archduchess Marie Valerie married her cousin, Archduke Franz Salvator.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Roumanian police have received an official order to "confiscate and burn" all the photographs Princess Ileana and Count von Hochberg," reports the New York Times. Constantin Hiott, the court chamberlain, will "resign shortly" due to his failure to investigate Count Alexander's past before the engagement was announced. Hiott has not accompanied Queen Marie and Princess Ileana "on their Egyptian trip." An official announcement of the "cancellation of the engagement" is not expected to be made for another month.Count Alexander, who is in Cannes, is disputing the reports in the Bucharest papers. "Princess Ileana and I will be married as soon as the proper arrangements are made between the Greek Orthodox church and the Catholic church. That is the only reason the wedding has been delayed. The Count made the statement today "on his arrival on the Vienna express."

The Chicago Daily Tribune is reporting that today was a "day of deep surprises for Monaco, which is still seething over the announcement" that Prince Pierre is seeking a separation from his wife, Charlotte, the Hereditary Princess. As a result of this final break with her husband, Charlotte had fled the tiny country, first going to San Remo, and then taking a villa at Roquebrune, which is about 500 yards from Monaco's border. Until today, the princess "had turned a deaf ear to the entreaties of her father, Prince Louis," to return home.Princes Charlotte "calmly drove up to the royal palace, went in and stayed." The second "sensation to startle the population" was Prince Pierre's "sudden departure" from Monaco. He left with "bag and baggage," but where he is now is "a mystery."The couple's two children, Prince Rainer and Princess Antoinette, "were left by their father in the care of the Duchess of Vendome at her villa in Cannes." "Complete secrecy" has been "maintained in official circles." The Princess met with a representative of her father last night, "in an final effort to persuade" her to return to home.The latest scandal to rock Monaco centers on the princess and a prominent Monagesque physician, Dr. Dalmas, who was seen in San Remo a few days ago, and "several times yesterday in Monte Carlo."Princess Charlotte's marriage has been plagued by rumors of incompatibility for more than a year now. The Monagesque press, "which has been well muzzled, omits to mention in its accounts the fact" that the attractive Princess Charlotte, 35, and her husband," "have been the subject of public interest for some months."Prince Pierre is said to have "a fiery temper," and has on occasion thrown "royal bric-a-brac" at his wife, and the this is one of the reasons why Charlotte has grown tired "of conjugal life."Some of Monaco's aristocratic families are saying "I told you so," noting that Charlotte "was not a member of nobility by birth."The marital agitation has also caused concern in Monaco's political circles. There are suggestions that a "Red member of the municipal council encouraged Princess Charlotte in her action as an adroit political move to create a royal scandal."A minority opposition has not spared any "effort to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic."

The New York Times reports that the Princess is "unwilling to live unhappily any longer with her husband." The Prince has moved for a legal separation, which "would give him custody of the couple's two children. In San Remo, Charlotte declared that she "wanted more than a legal separation." She wants the marriage to be annuled by the Pope. She wants to be able to marry a French nobleman, :whose identity she refuses as yet to reveal."Prince Pierre is opposed to an annulment because he would lose his Monagesque citizenship. He would regain his French nationality, which he had before 1920. He is also concerned that this "procedure would not invalidate" Prince Rainier's status as the eventual heir to the throne.

The Duchess of Oporto is said to be "prostrated by her husband's death on Saturday," according to a special cable to The New York Times.The American-born duchess, the former Mrs. Philip van Volkenburgh, has been by her husband's bedside at their home, the Palazzo Reale, in Naples, ever since her husband suffered a stroke three months ago. His "paralysis was so great that he was unable to follow what was going on around him," but the Duchess refused to believe that his illness "meant a fatal ending."The Duke of Oporto's nephew, the exiled king Manoel, has been staying on the Riviera for the last three weeks, and has not "shown a great deal of sympatht with his uncle," and he has not made any inquiries "as to his health."The Duke, a younger brother of the late King Carlos, who was assassinated in 1908, was a very popular member of the Portuguese royal family. There are many who believe that if the Duke had succeeded to the throne in 1908, the revolution "which came in 1910 would have been averted."Before the Duke's illness became acute, he and his wife had planned to visit America. It was also understood "that it has been her earnest wish to make widely known her reception into the Roman Catholic church." She converted to Catholicism in a formal ceremony in Rome, shortly after her marriage. The Braganzas are one of "the most prominent Catholic families in Europe."

Mrs. Frederick D. Grant is on board the St. Louis en route to St Petersburg to care for her daughter, Julia, who is "seriously ill with pneumonia," according to the New York Times.Mrs. Grant left Wednesday after receiving a telegram from her daughter's husband, Prince Cantacuzene, announcing the seriousness of his wife's condition. Mrs. Grant was in Washington, D.C., when she received the telegram, and immediately left for New York City. She spoke with the family's doctor, and hired a nurse who will accompany her to St. Petersburg. The journey should take about ten days. Miss Grant, who met the prince, then the Military Attache at the Russian Embassy in Rome, while travelling with her aunt, Mrs. Potter Palmer, in Italy last winter. He "once became a devoted suitor," and their engagement was announced shortly afterward. The Prince and Princess were married last September at Beaulieu, the home of Mrs. Potter Palmer.The princess' condition has "improved to-day."

Friday, February 19, 2010

"The Queen was safely delivered of a son at 3.38 P.M. today. Her Majesty and the infant prince are both doing well."

Church bells, cannon and bonefires "tonight welcomed the birth of a son to Queen Elizabeth II, reports Drew Middleton in the New York Times. The infant prince is the first child born to a reigning monarch since Queen Victoria gave birth to Princess Beatrice on April 14, 1857.The new baby, "who probably will be styled the Duke of York later in life," is second in line of succession to the throne, following his brother, Charles, the Prince of Wales, and preceding his sister, Princess Anne.Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, 38, emerged from the Belgian suite and "tolf a group of palace servants" that the Queen had given birth to a son. He then telephoned the Prince of Wales, who is at Cheam School, and took Princess Anne to see her new baby brother.Queen Elizabeth gave birth in a room in the Belgian suite, which is located on the ground floor at Buckingham Palace. The room "overlooks the gardems, which this afternoon were lighted by the pale, golden light of the winter sun."The baptism will take place at the palace in about a month. The Palace would not comment on reports that President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill "would be asked to be godfathers to the baby."

Princess Maria Cristina of the Netherlands turned one year old yesterday. The fourth daughter of Crown Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard, was born with serious eye issues. The AP reports that Marijke's "right eye shows improvement." But the official physicians' statement released by the palace also noted that "there is little hope that the sight of her left eye will develop." The little princess "has developed well mentally and physically, and the sight of her right eye is much improved and now she recognizes not only colored things but also the faces of persons."The Princess, who is nearly blind, was born on February 18, 1947 at the Soestdijk Palace. Her mother had contracted German measles during her pregnancy.

The Duke of Vendome, who is King Albert I of the Belgian's brother-in-law, is planning to come to the United States to hunt grizzly bears in in the Rocky Mountains. He is considered a "crack shot among royal hunters, and has been getting points about the Rockies from King Albert," who has already been to the American west.The grandson of the late Duke of Nemours, the duke of Vendome is well known as the "sporting Duke." Recently at the Belgian shooting box, he "easily proved himself the best shot among the sportsmen, royal and others, there. He fired 2,800 cartridges in one day, and "brought down 790 head of game, including 3 wild boar, 15 deer, and 325 pheasants."The Duke has always been considered "a good shot," but on this occasion "he surpassed himself, and his skills have been the subject of much admiration.The Duke of Vendome is also known for his "unique collection of books and engravings relating to hunting," including many first editions he inherited from his mother, the Duchess d'Alencon, and his grandfather, the duke of Nemours.

Marlene is doing the happy dance right now! Celebrating Evan Lysacek's Gold Medal in Men's Figure Skating!!! Bring it on Tanith and Ben and Meryl and Charlie!!!!!Those who know me know that I love sports (not American football), but I am passionate about three sports: baseball, gymnastic and figure skating!

A "fierce duel" was fought today between Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the husband of Princess Louise of Belgium, and Lt.Geza von Mattachich. They fought "first with pistols and then with swords." Prince Philipp received a severe wound in his right arm, reported the New York Times dispatch.The Chicago Daily Tribune noted that pistol bullets "were exchanged twice." The Duke aimed at the young lieutenant, but he failed. A duel with heavy sabers was fought next, "the terms being up to disability." After eight minutes of dueling, Prince Philipp "was disabled by a stroke on the arm." The adversaries "ceased unreconciled."This was the first time that a "person so closely connected with the [Austrian] imperial family has fought a duel with a simple citizen. Princess Louise, a daughter of King Leopold II of the Belgians, is the sister, of the Dowager Crown Princess Stephanie of Austria. Princess Louise "has been the subject of gossip in connection" with the lieutenant, and this was the reason for the fight. Her disgrace has been "notorious," and she has been banished from the Viennese court. Only last year, Stephanie was able to prevail on her father-in-law, Franz Joseph, to forgive Louise. The princess, however, remains "deeply in love with her husband's partner and refuses to part with him." The two travel together and have spent the last few months in Nice.

Queen Elizabeth II's press secretary, Commdr Richard Colville, said tonight that the queen's baby "was not imminent," according to the New York Times. The announcement was made "to the crowd waiting in the windswept area before Buckingham Palace."The queen's gynecoligst, John Harald Peel, is spending the night at the palace, and he and two other physicians in attendance visited the this evening. All three doctors dined at the palace. The queen's anesthetist also called on the Queen in the morning, but he has not remained at the palace.The crowds cheered when the Duke of Edinburgh departed the palace to attend a luncheon in honor of the Duke and other members of the royal family "who had been overseas recently."The Duke apologized for his wife's absensce. "As you will realize she has other matters to attend to."

Tonight Roumanian premier Maniu summoned the foreign correspondents to "give them a statement on the rumors which have been circulating regarding the character" of Count Alexander von Hochberg, who is engaged to Princess Ileana.The rumors are inaccurate, the Prime Minister said, but the question of von Hochberg's suitability as the husband for a Roumanian princess "is to be investigated" by Roumanian legations abroad.Count von Hochberg was "never sentenced by any German court, but was aquitted of charges said to have constituted blackmail." The Roumanian government will not interfere in Ileana's marriage plans "as governmental consent was required only for the king and the heir to the throne. There is great affection for Ileana in Roumania which has rendered the government "institute inquiries" into the allegations.One of the most significant events regarding the possibility that the engagement will be broken is the "official announcement" that Ileana and Queen Marie's visit to Egypt will not end before April 27, which was the date of the proposed marriage.The allegations against Count Alexander, whose mother, the Princess of Pless, is a close friend of Queen Marie, reached Bucharest yesterday by special courier. The allegations have not been published in the Bucharest advice.The premier hopes the allegations will be cleared up and the Queen and Ileana's visit will "proceed according to plan."According to a source, Queen Marie was unaware of these allegations when the relationship between Ileana and von Hochberg began. Their romance is "purely a love affair betwen two young people. The outcome is not yet known, as neither Marie nor the Government "is entitled to interfere" as Ileana has reached her majority. It is understood that the queen "will inform the unspecting princess of the rumors." They are currently on board the Dacia, a steam yacht, which will take them to Cairo.The rumors were first published in the Berlin communist newspaper, the Rote Fahne and then were published in "their most sensational form" in Budapest this morning, and later today in Vienna. The Rote Fahne published records of a trial in Germany "years ago in which Count von Hochberg was sentenced for improprieties."

Is Princess Ileana going to Madrid in March to arrange her wedding? This is what the AP reports today as rumors of an engagement are circulating in Bucharest. Ileana's aunt, Infanta Beatriz of Spain, is "understood to be in charge of the negotiations." The bridegroom has not been named, but one possible candidate is King Alfonso XIII's eldest son, the Prince of Asturias.

Alexander Zoubkhoff, the husband of Princess Victoria of Prussia, has arrived in Berlin to "make arrangements to fly from Germany to New York," according to a new York Times correspondent who was given the news directly from Zoubkhoff. Zoubkhoff "intends to take his bride of sixty and odd summers as a passenger," and the princess herself said she was willing to "undertake the trip."Alexander has "no preference for any particular type of plane, nor does he think that ocean flying is seasonal." He is willing to leave tomorrow if "someone would provide him with a plane and plenty of gasoline," adding that he was a"confirmed fatalist and when his time to die came it would not matter whether he passed on land or water."The statements, made in "somewhat arrogant tones," but Victoria "smiled with pride and patted the rather rought hands of her husband, who is less than half his age.""It is my wish to be with to be with him and share his fate."The couple arrived in Berlin two days ago, but have not been visited by any of Victoria's releatives. "If Crown Prince Wilhelm, Prince Oscar and Prince Eitel Friedrich want to see their aunt they must call and not expect their aunt to look them up," explained the princess.Her husband noted that "the last time I was in Berlin I slept on a bench in the Tiergarten. It was cold and I was hungry and broke."Victoria smiled and said: "He has had a hard time." She denied that she and her brother, the former Kaiser Wilhelm, were not speaking because of her marriage. She noted that they exchange letters at "long intervals," but does not remember if she has received a letter since her marriage.The princess and her much younger husband posed for photographers and film cameras. Zoubkhoff asked if he should kiss his wife while the movie cameras were rollings. Victoria also disputed the rumors about her husband. She said he was a model husband. "He is nervous from a motorcyle accident he suffered last December, but he neither drinks excessively nor takes dope."They hope to reside in Berlin. Victoria said of her husband: "He is keen to have employment and shows good business acumen."She was also asked if she heard anything "definite about proposals to raise the state allowances" to members of the Hohenzollern family members. Princess Victoria said she had not been informed about "such a proposal." Her husband, however, "clappped his hands gleefully and said he hoped it was true and that the increase would be large."They are "willing to put some of their own money in the project, but want assurance that the stunt will show excelent financial return."

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The crowds continue to grow outside Buckingham Palace as the arrival of another nurse at Buckingham Palace "was the only news available to an increasingly jittery public."Queen Elizabeth II is expecting her third child, which will be the first "to be born to a reigning monarchy since 1857," when Queen Victoria gave birth to Princess Beatrice.The Queen's doctors do not expect to visit the palace tonight, and she will continue to carry out her duties.Elizabeth is expected to give birth within the next few days.

Princess Caroline Mathilde of Denmark gave birth to a son today in Copenhagen. The princess is the wife of Prince Knud, known as a the "sailor prince," who is the second son of King Christian X.The 7 1/2 lb infant is third in line to the throne after Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Knud.Crown Princess Ingrid is expecting her first child in May. If she gives birth a son, he will move into second place. Princesses are not eligible to succeed to the Danish throne, due to Salic law.Caroline Mathilde,27, and Knud,40, are first cousins, as Caroline Mathilde's father, Prince Harald, is a younger brother of King Christian.The couple have one daughter, Princess Elisabeth, who was born in May 1935.

The Dowager Queen Marie of Roumania left today by train for Merano, Italy, where she will rest and seek treatment for "chronic liver trouble." She was accompanied by her daughter, Queen Marie of Yugoslavia and a doctor, reports the Associated Press.

Princess Helen of Roumania left today for a visit to Belgrade. She was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Queen Marie of Yugoslavia. Helen's young son, King Michael, will remain in Bucharest "under care of an English governess."

The AP reports today on rumors received in Budapest, Hungary, from Bucharest about the possibility that that engagement between Princess Ileana of Roumania and Count Alexander vonHochberg "might be broken." No "definite reason" for this rumor was given. Count Alexander left for London this afternoon, and was accompanied to the train station by Ileana. No other members of the royal family were present for his departure.There has been no confirmation of this story from the palace in Bucharest.

The former Empress Eugenie of France, who has been critically ill in Paris for the past ten days, is now doing better. She was en route from England to the Riviera, when she was "compelled" to stop in Paris. It was first thought that the empress had pneumonia and would not survive. Eugenie is occupying the second floor of the Continental Hotel with her suite, including Dr. Robbins that it was "a severe attack of grip" that caused Eugenie's illness. He said that "unless unforeseen complications occur" the empress will be able to travel south in the next few days.The windows of her apartment at the Continental hotel overlook the Tuileries, which was Eugenie's favorite residence, and the "scene of the legendary splendid fetes of the triumphant period when her imperial court was dazzling the civilized world."

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The postcard may be the official wedding portrait of Prince and Princess Alfons of Bavaria.

Prince Alfons (1862-1933) married Princess Louise d'Orleans (1869-1952) at Nymphenburg on April 15, 1891. Princess Alfons was the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Alencon. The Duchess was born Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, who was a younger sister of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Louise was especially close to her first cousin, Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria.

It was just over 50 years ago on February 8, 1960, when the following was published in the London Gazette. The announcement was made nine days before Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to a son.

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, The 8th day of February 1960.Present, the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.Her Majesty was this day pleased to make the following declaration:"My LordsWhereas on the 9th day of April 1952, I did declare in Council My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor:And whereas I have given further consideration to the position of those of My descendants who will enjoy neither the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness, nor the titular dignity of Prince and for whom therefore a surname will be necessary:And whereas I have concluded that the Declaration made by Me on the 9th day of April 1952, should be varied in its application to such persons:Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My Children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor."

The statement is ambiguous, to say the least. One can interpret this decree in different ways, and many have. So what does it actually mean.Well, for one thing, the name of the House remained the same: Windsor. The surname Windsor, which was established in 1917 by George V, remains extant for the non-royal male line descendants of the younger sons of George V. The surname Windsor also appeared on the marriage registrar in 1947 when Princess Elizabeth married Lt. Philip Mountbatten. Elizabeth was listed as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.She was the only of her generation to use the Windsor surname, as the name does not appear on the marriage registrars for Princess Margaret or for the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.

It was largely assumed that the surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, would not be used until there were male line descendants of Elizabeth II who were not royal. This was not the case. The surname Mountbatten-Windsor was first used in November 1973, when Princess Anne married Mark Phillips. She was listed as Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. But the use of the surname has not meant that Anne -- or her siblings -- use the surname on a daily basis. They don't. British royals do not have a surname. Their first names are sufficient, and they use only their first names to sign documents.

Look at Anne's marriage registrar. She signed as Anne, and not as Anne Mountbatten-Windsor.The Mountbatten-Windsor surname was also used when Anne married Lt. Timothy Laurence and by Prince Andrew and Prince Edward at their respective weddings in 1986 and 1999. They signed the registrars as Andrew and Edward. No surname.

Charles, as the heir to the throne, has not used the Mountbatten-Windsor name. His official titles appear on the marriage registrars for both his weddings. Mountbatten-Windsor is the official surname for Edward's children, Lady Louise and Viscount Severn.

(Yes, yes, technically, Louise and James should be styled as HRH Princess Sophie and HRH Prince James of Wessex, but Edward and Sophie decided that they wanted their children to live a more private life. It was announced that any children born to this marriage would not be styled as royal highness, but would bear the courtesy titles as children of an earl.)

Although her surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, Lady Louise is officially styled as The Lady Louise Windsor. Her brother is styled as Viscount Severn, and will probably sign his name as James Severn until he succeeds to his father's earldom or the Edinburgh dukedom.) It is likely that the surname Mountbatten-Windsor will appear prominently among Edward's male line descendants.

It was Queen Elizabeth's decision to have Anne use the Mountbatten-Windsor name, but she did consult with her Prime Minister to confirm whether her children were entitled to the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. She received a reply: "The effect of Your Majesty's Declaration is that all the children of Your Majesty who may at any time need a surname have the surnames Mountbatten-Windsor."

With the exception of the marriage registrars, none of the Queen's children have used the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. Princes William and Harry use Wales as a surname at school. Prince Andrew's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, use York, not Mountbatten-Windsor, as a surname, although they sign only their first names.Andrew, whose official title is the Duke of York, and his wife, the former Sarah Ferguson, were divorced in 1996. Sarah ceased to be a royal highness and a princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the divorce became final. The loss of the HRH was also made clear in a Letters Patent issued by Queen Elizabeth.Although Sarah was not styled as Princess Sarah, she had the rank of a princess because her husband was a prince. Her title was HRH Duchess of York. If the Queen had not created Andrew a duke, Sarah would have been styled as HRH The Princess Andrew.) After the divorce was final, Sarah's official style became Sarah, Duchess of York, This followed the precedent for divorced wives of peers of the realm.Sarah did not acquire the Mountbatten-Windsor surname after the divorce because she did not use the surname during the marriage. Before the divorce, she signed her name as Sarah. After the divorce, she used Sarah York as her name, although in more recent years, she has chosen to use her maiden name, Ferguson, for her business deals. This is perfectly legal, even though she has not reacquired the Ferguson name by deed poll.Although she uses the Ferguson surname, Sarah's official name is Sarah, Duchess of York. It is incorrect to refer to Sarah as the Duchess of York, because she is no longer married to the duke of York. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York is also incorrect, although it is the name used by The Sarah Ferguson Foundation. Sarah Ferguson and Sarah, Duchess of York, are the same person, but the names should be never combined. The surname Ferguson is not a part of the style of Sarah, Duchess of York. It is probably a good idea to use Ferguson when discussing Sarah's career, and Sarah, Duchess of York, when writing about the former wife of the Duke of York, in a non-business context.

Prince Heinrich of Bavaria, 35, was killed on Thursday when his small German car crash near the Andes resort of Bariloche, Argentina. His brother-in-law and sister, Prince and Princess Ludwig of Bavaria, "escaped with slight injuries. Prince Heinrich was the son of Crown Prince Rupprecht and his second wife, the former Princess Antonia of Luxembourg.

The son of Princess Ilyinski and Grand Duke Dimitri was baptised today according to the rites of the Russian Orthodox church. The infant prince, who was born in January, was given the names Paul Dimitri. The AP reports that the baby was "immersed in water thrice and then anointed with oil."Grand Duke Dimitri is a cousin of the late Nicholas II. His wife is the former Miss Audrey Emery of Cincinnati.The marriage is considered unequal according to the Fundamental Laws. Paul will be styled as Prince Paul Ilyinsky.

According to an Associated Press cable, officials "say it is possible that a re-examination of the charges of war guilt" against Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine may lead "to his name being stricken from the list." The Grand Duke is on a list of Germans who are demanded hy the Allies for participation in war crimes.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The former King Michael of Roumania, who forced to leave Roumania at the beginning of this year, is living modestly with his mother, Queen Mother Helen in the Derby Hotel in Davos, Switzerland. They pay $8.50 a day for room and meals, and 85 cents more for heat. Charging for heat, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune, is "an old European custom."This rate is about half of what most guest pay at "more fashionable St. Moritz, winter playground of wealthy Europeans."Michael is living in one room "with a bath about the size of a piano box."Michael's fiancee, Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma and her brother, Prince Michel, are paying similar rates.European nobles and royals, who are "long on titles but short on cash," receive special rates at the St. Moritz hotels. Hotel managers figure they "will attract the type of American guests, mostly from the east, who break out in goose flesh just from drinking in the same saloon with unemployed kings, dukes and princes."No one dresses for dinner. Queen Helen and Princess Anne are usually attired in slacks and sweaters. King Michael prefers a "sports jacket and flannels.Michael's fortune was taken by the new Communist leaders in Roumania. One close source said that Michael will "have to live modestly, but it won't be necessary for him to go debt."

The late Emperor Franz Joseph's will was published for the first time today. The document, which was drawn up in 1901, "showed that the old Emperor even then provided against a possible breakdown of the empire and the Habsburgs' loss of the throne," according to a report in the New York Times.Franz Joseph, who died in 1916, had the foresight to settle part of his "huge personal fortune in a Habsburg family trust fund," and caused him to "provide meticulously against everything." including divorce and heirs dying childless, "everything which might happen to the empire or his family except the situation which has actually come to pass."Most of his fortune has been wiped out by inflation and confiscation. Some of the late emperor's servants are now suing his heirs "in order to have their pensions valorized."It is because of these suits, the decision was made to make the will public.In a document, dated February 6, 1907, the Emperor set aside 60 million crowns (then about $12,000,000) of his fortune for the Habsburg family trust, known as a latifunda."If, in the course of time and historical development, of the monarchy's form of government should be changed and -- God forbid! -- the Crown not remain with our house, then the succession in his latifunda should be governed only by the private legal principles of the General Civil Code of 18811."However, Franz Joseph did not consider this an immediate possibility, and expected the monarchy to consider for a few more centuries."We, Francis Joseph I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria (his full titles followed) are resolved to create out of our private inherited fortune a family latifunda of 60,000,000 crowns, consisting of our Bohemian and other estates, stocks, bonds and other assets which shall bear our name."Within two years of Franz Joseph's death, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy collapsed, and his successor, Karl, and his family, went into exile. Karl died in 1922.Franz Joseph's Bohemian estates and "practically all other estates within their borders were confiscated by Czechoslovakia, Austrian and other Succession States, except Hungary, where the Habsburg retain their rights."There is no complete estimate of Franz Joseph's funeral has been made public, although it is believe to include twenty-eight castles and estates and 145,000,000 crowns in "money assets, more than two-thirds of which were in war loans."Most of these stocks and bonds are now considered worthless due to the depreciation of the crown. Socialists, however, who are prosecuting the case against the heirs, have demanded that the servants' pensions be paid in gold. They assert the heirs have saved most of Franz Joseph's fortune.Franz Joseph's will included an explanation for the trust:"In order to enable my successors to diminish poverty and misery by contributing charitable gifts, I am resolved to establish latifunda profts which my successors shall enjoy."He did not leave any "benevolent requests" except to establish pensions for his servants. Franz Joseph's direct heirs were his daughters, Gisela and Marie Valerie, and his granddaughter, Archduchess Elisabeth, was was married to Prince Otto zu Windisch-Graetz. All of the emperor's fortune, apart from what was used to create the trust, was left to the three women. Four of the emperor's most important estates were left to Archduchess Valerie, who received instructions to give her sister and her niece one-third of the value of the estates. However, Archduchess Valerie has only been able to keep one of the properties, Ischl, as the rest have been confiscated by the Czechs. She was able to maintain this property, because her husband, Archduke Franz Salvator "renounced his Habsburg rights.The emperor did not change his will during the world war, although he added several codicils. The first was dated on November 16, 1913, which was to settle a minimum yearly income of 400,000 crowns on the family of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, then the heir to the throne. A provision was also made for Franz Ferdinand's morganatic wife, Sophie, who was killed with her husband at Sarajevo in June 1914. The current value of this bequest is about $6.00).A second codicil was added on June 19, 1916 which provided an income of 50,000 crowns (now about 75 cents) for Prince Otto zu Windisch-Graez, "in view of his reconciliation" with Franz Joseph's granddaughter. The Emperor wanted the allowance to be paid in half-yearly installments. The income would be cut off if Otto divorced his wife. Prince Otto and Archduchess Elisabeth have been separated for many years, and the archduchess is now a Socialist city councillor in Vienna.The couple were unhappily married and only stayed together during the emperor's life time.

King Albert of the Belgians "has offered no objection" to the marriage of his cousin, Princess Clementine, to Prince Victor Napoleon. His consent is actually not necessary, according to the Marquise deFonentoy's latest column due to a revision of the Belgian constitution in 1893. One of the new clauses stated that a prince of the royal house needed the consent of the King and his government when he married; otherwise, he would forfeit his succession rights. Princess Clementine is not required to seek formal permission to wed because the law applies solely to the royal princes, as Belgian princesses do not have succession rights. It was the late King Leopold II's personal decision when he did not allow his youngest daughter to marry Prince Victor Napoleon. But now Clementine can "follow the dictates of her heart."Prince Victor Napoleon's legal status will change when he marries Princess Clementine. He is a foreigner, and he can be "expelled from the country by order of the minister of the interior" at the request of the French government. He has remained inactive as a pretender to the French throne in order to avoid creating political tension between France and Belgium. The Belgian government will not be able to expel the prince after his marriage to a Belgian woman, and remains a resident of the kingdom "for more than five years and makes his home there."The wedding will take place in Brussels at the home of the Countess of Flanders, who is very fond of her niece, and who "was more of a mother to her" than the late Queen Marie Henriette.Victor Napoleon will be attended by his brother, Prince Louis, and his first cousin, the Duke of the Abruzzi, who will also represent King Victor Emanuel. Victor and Louis' mother, the "saintly Princess Clotilde Bonaparte," is the sister of the late King Umberto and the late duke of Aosta.There is "no doubt" that the prince's marriage "will go far to restore his prestige as a pretender and to strengthen the Bonapartist cause in France." He will also be endowed with great wealth, as Princess Clementine "inherited a large share of her father's great fortune."Prince Victor life has been "entirely beyond reproach," and Princess Clementine's life has been "unscathed" despite the "cruel trials" that will finally culminate in a marriage.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Gringo Olympic team is the largest in Vancouver: 216 athletes. The Mexican team: one athlete. A skier.Mexico is not known for winter sports, but HSH Prince Hubertuszu Hohenlohe-Langenburg (who uses the name Hubertusvon Hohenlohe) is the sole athlete on the Mexican team. He carried Mexico's flag into the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies.Prince Hubertus is the younger son of the late Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Ira of Fürstenberg, who was only 15 at the time of the marriage. Hubertus was born in Mexico City on February 2, 1959, which means he celebrated his 51st birthday earlier this month.He competed for Mexico in the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994 games. Hubertus did not take part in the 2002 or 2006 Winter Games, and has not competed at the Olympic level in sixteen years, although Hubertus can hardly be described as a top-level skier.Although he qualified for the 1996 Games, Mexico chose not to send a one person team to the games in Albertville, France. He has also taken part in 12 World Championships, although he has never won a medal in international competition.Hubertus has Mexican and Austrian citizenship. He is also a businessman and a photographer, and he dabbles in pop music, where he uses the name Andy Himalaya.In an interview with Time magazine, Prince Hubertus admitted that skiing for Mexico "sounds strange." His paternal grandmother was half-Mexican, and his father was running the Volkswagon plant in Mexico when Ira gave birth to Hubertus. "We always wanted to have one member of the family [who was] Mexican. So they chose that I was going to be born in Mexico. That was the idea."(Prince Alfonso and Princess Ira were divorced in Mexico City in 1960, and their marriage was annulled nine years later.)Prince Hubertus was four years old when he moved to Spain. He attended school in Austria, where he learned to ski. Because he was born in Mexico, he learned he could compete for that country, as he was not good enough to make the Austrian ski team..The prince maintains a home in Cabo San Lucas, but he acknowledges spending just two or three weeks a year in Mexico. "I do feel Mexican. Naturally, I have more ties to Spain, but I'm more of a Latin person. Although our name is very German, and we're a German aristocratic family, we really grew up in a more of a Mediterranean way."In life you have a couple of opportunities and openings. And one of them was that I was born in Mexico. Sure, I used it to my favor. But not in an abusive way. You try to find that little thing that makes a difference, and take advantage of them. I took advantage of it."

Hubertus' primary residence is in Liechtenstein. His older brother, Christoph, died in 2006 in a prison in Thailand after being arrested for forging a visa. He also has two younger half-sisters, Arriana, who is the wife of Denny Boardman, and Desiree, who lives and works in Brussels.Prince Hubertus is not married.

So .. who's competing for Luxembourg? Did their team miss a flight to Vancouver, and the parade of nations?

Friday, February 12, 2010

The Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in June 1933. Perhaps a little formal, as Victoria Adeleid has a fur stole around her neck, and Carl Eduard is wearing a uniform complete with leather boots. The postcard does not note where the photo was taken, perhaps Bavaria? Garmisch-Partenkirchen? Hinterrris in the Tyrol?

The palace in Madrid today officially denied the "persisting rumors" that Infanta Maria Cristina, the younger daughter of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia, will marry Prince Nicholas of Roumania.The New York Times reports that the marriage of "the eighteen-year-old youngest, cheeriest and best liked of the Infantas might divert the country from politics." Prince Nicholas, who is the youngest surviving son of the late King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, is said to be "suitable, both as a man and as a royal husband."

The New York Times today offers a profile of the King of the Belgian's mother, the Countess of Flanders. She is "regarded by the Belgians as one of the most gifted royal Princesses in Europe." She is an "accomplished artist in water colors" as well as in embossed leather work, and she has promised to submit some of her paintings at the coming Brussels Worlds Fair.
The Countess is "greatly beloved" because of her "simple, human ways and her whole-hearted sympathy with the poor and needy." After the World's Fair, her paintings will be sold, and the proceeds will benefit several hospitals that treat "indigent tuberculosis patients."
King Albert's mother has great concern for those who suffer from the scourge of tuberculosis.
The Countess has also had a literary salon, which has been a "feature of Brussels social life for over forty years. The New York Times correspondent, who has been invited to the countess' events, noted that that the "habitués of her salon in the Flanders Palace," have included Alexandre Dumas fils, Guy de Maupassant, Robert Browning, the Duke of Aumale, Prince Napoleon, Carmen Sylva, King Oscar of Sweden, Queen Amelie of Portugal and Prince Henri d'Orleans.
The "salon has been essentially democratic and a gathering place for authors of every social status."
Queen Elisabeth of Roumania was one of the "most gifted and by all means the most sympathetic of the Countess's guests." As the writer Carmen Sylva, the queen offered lectures on "historical and philosophical topics," for the benefit of charity. These soirées were among the most glittering ever hosted by the Countess of Flanders.
The Duke of Aumale "was one of the most versatile and entertaining" of the countess' guests. He was a "brilliant conversationalist" and his talks ranged from his experiences in the Franco-Prussian war to the French Academy. In spite of being a son of Louis Philippe, the duke was a noted admirer of Napoleon.
The Countess of Flanders was born Princess Marie of Hohenzollern on November 17, 1845. She married Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, the younger brother of Leopold II, at Berlin on April 25, 1867.
They had five children, Prince Baudouin (1869-1891), Princess Henriette, born in 1870, who is married to the Duke of Vendome; Princess Josephine (1870-1871), Princess Josephine, born in 1872), and the wife of Prince Karl Anton of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, and King Albert II, born in 1875, who is married to Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.
The Count of Flanders died in November 1905. He was the heir to the throne after the death of Leopold II's only son, Leopold, who died at the age of ten in 1869. King Leopold II died in 1909, and was succeeded by Philippe's only surviving son, Prince Albert.

Grand Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg is, according to dispatches from Germany, in "feeble health," and it is feared that complications will ensure with regard to a regency for his 11-year-old son, Nikolaus. The Grand Duke and his wife are estranged and live separate lives. He has tried "in vain" to have the law changed which he had "enacted several years ago" that would name Elisabeth as regent for their son. He has "notified both his ministers and the legislature that he will not permit his wife to become regent," and he has designated his kinsman, Duke Friedrich Ferdinand of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, whose wife, Karoline Mathilde, is a younger sister of Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria. One of Friedrich Ferdinand's daughters, Alexandra Viktoria, is married to the Kaiser's son, Prince August Wilhelm, and another daughter, Viktoria Adelheid, is married to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.This choice has not been approved by either government or the legislature, as both remained determined that the Grand Duchess will be the regent. She is the sister of Prince Henrik of the Netherlands and the half-sister of the regent of the duchy of Brunswick.But Oldenburg is "virtually garrisoned by Prussian regiments and under military control of the emperor, " it will be up to Kaiser Wilhelm II to decide to accept the wishes of the Grand Duke or the "desire of the people of Oldenburg, of their parliament, and of their government," according to the Marquise deFontenoy.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Belgian magazine Story has a report about alleged marital difficulties between Prince Laurent, the youngest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola, and his wife, the former Claire Coombs. (Princess Claire has a British father and a Belgian mother.)
The magazine states that the couple, who were married in April 2003, will announce shortly that they are separating. Princess Claire is said to be "overwhelmed" by Laurent's depression and mood swings. It is also alleged that the princess cannot abide her husband's lack of involvement in family life, and carrying out limited royal duties.
This is not the first time that the Belgian press has speculated on Prince Laurent's marriage. Rumors about marital trouble first surface in November when Princess Claire did not attend the annual King's Day celebration. She said that she had been unable to find a nanny to take care of the couple's three children, Princess Louise, 6, and the 5-year-old twins, Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric.
Father Guy Gilbert, the priest who married the couple, has said that there are no marital problems.
The Royal Palace has neither confirmed nor denied the article in Story magazine. Queen Paola and Princess Claire carried out together an official engagement on Thursday, perhaps to show that the Queen certainly is fond of her younger son's wife.

Sant Angelo d'Alife is a small farming town in Caserta, Italy, where the Prince of Windisch-Graetz has a palazzo on the outskirts of the town. The Princely family often spend their weekends and holidays. His younger son, Prince Alexis,was well-known in the town. He adored the sport of motor cross, and was active in a local motor cross club. Alexis' friends wanted to pay tribute to him, and provided an escort for several miles, from Caserta to the family's home. After a blessing, the coffin was brought to Rome for the funeral and burial on Friday at the Vatican.Prince Alexis,who turned eighteen in December, suffered severe head and chest injuries when he lost control of his car and he slammed into a tree. It took some time for emergency personnel to arrive at the accident, and the Prince was in grave condition when he was brought to the local hospital.The prince was driving home from spending the evening at a local bar with friends when he crashed into the tree.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and Countess Helene zu Toerring-Jettenbach were married on April 10, 1956 in the Byzantine chapel at Schloss Seefeld, near Munich.

The more than 260 guests at the wedding included Ferdinand's first cousin, Archduke Otto, the heir to the Austrian throne, King Umberto of Italy, Prince Albrecht of Bavaria, the head of the Bavarian royal house, the children of the Count of Paris, pretender to the French throne. The Duchess of Kent, the bride's aunt, also attended the wedding. United Press reports that 114 princes and princesses, eighteen dukes and duchesses, and more than 100 counts, countesses, barons and baronesses, were present for the wedding between Ferdinand, 37, and his 18-year-old bride.

This postcard was published to commemorate the wedding on November 26, 1912 between HSH Hugo Vincenz Alexander Maria Prince zu Windisch-Graetz and HSH Princess Leontine (Lotti) zu Fürstenberg. The couple are the great-grandparents of the late Prince Alexis zu Windisch-Graetz. The marriage took place at Donaueschingen, the Fürstenberg family seat.

The photo was taken by Art Beeche. He is the copyright holder. This photo belongs to Mr. Beeche, and I thank him for allowing me to use it. Copying this photo is not permitted without the EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER. THANK YOU.

Prince Alexis of Windisch-Graetz's car accident on the same road where his grandfather, Maximilian, Prince of Windisch-Graetz, was killed on November 1, 1976. The Prince of Windisch-Graetz was driving home when he lost control of his car, and he rammed into the wall.
Prince Alexis, 18, spent the evening of February 4 at a local bar with friends. It was in the early hours of the morning when he got into his car to drive to his home, Il Palazzo in Sant Angelo d'Alife, in Caserta. At some point, the prince lost control, and was unable to prevent the car from careening into a tree. The prince was alone in the car, and the impact was great, and he remained in the car for sometime before he could be rescued. No one else was involved in the accident. (A young woman, Antonella di Crosta, was killed instantly on the same road but she was not involved in Alexis' accident.)
Prince Alexis died late Tuesday as the result of the injuries he suffered in the accident.
Alexis, who was known to his family and friends as Alex, loved cars and motorcycles. He was a "sweet and gentle" young man, who was not considered snobbish by the locals, especially the young girls.
Alexis' parents, the Prince and Princess of Windisch-Graetz, have donated his organs to science.
The funeral will take place at the Chiesa di Santo Stefano degli Abissini e Vatican, and he will be interred in the family's crypt in the Vatican. This is the same church where his uncle, Archduke Maximilian, was married in 2005.

The late Maximilian, Prince of Windisch-Graetz, was married to Maria Luisa Serre de Gerace.
They had four children, Princess Irma , who is married to Don Augusto Ruffo di Calabria; Princess Maximiliane, who is married to the Prince of Fürstenberg, Mariano Hugo, the Prince of Windisch-Graetz, and Prince Manfred, who is married Maria Vittoria Lepri.

The Princess of Windisch-Graetz was born Archduchess Sophie of Austria. She is the daughter of the late Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, who married Countess Helen of Toerring-Jettenbach. Archduke Ferdinand was a first cousin of Archduke Otto, as his father, Archduke Maximilian, was the younger brother of Emperor Karl.
Archduke Ferdinand and Archduchess Helen were the parents of three children, Archduchess Elisabeth, who it is believed died from a brain tumor in May 1983 only seven months after her marriage to Australian James Litchfield; Archduchess Sophie, and Archduke Maximilian, who is married with two children.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Prince Alexis of Windisch Graetz, 18, died on Tuesday, February 9, of his injuries suffered in a car accident, at the San Sebastian medical center in Caserta, Italy. He was the second son of the Prince and Princess of Windisch-Graetz. He is survived by his parents, and his brother, Maximiliano, and his sister, Larissa. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Archduchess Helene of Austria, and many cousins.

The funeral of Archduchess Regina of Austria took place at St. Pius Roman Catholic church in Pöcking, Bavaria. More than 400 guests attended the funeral service. Regina's widower, Archduke Otto, 97, was unable to attend the funeral due to his own frail health. Several grandchildren stayed with him and did not attend the funeral.Mourners included the head of the Bavarian royal house, Duke Franz, the Duke of Braganza, Archduke Rudolf and his wife, Archduchess Anna, Archduchess Yolande (widow of Archduke Carl Ludwig), and her daughter, Archduchess Alexandra, among others. All told, about 200 members of the Habsburg royal family attended the funeral. Members of the Belgian and Luxembourg royal families also attended the funeral.Otto and Regina's seven children, Archduchesses Andrea, Monika, Micaela, Gabriela, Walburga, and Archdukes Karl and Georg were all present with their families. Karl's estranged wife, Archduchess Francesca, arrived with her mother, Fiona Thyssen, and her three children, Archduke Ferdinand-Zvonimir and Archduchesses Eleonore and Gloria.Francesca joined her husband and children and sat with them and Archduke Georg and his wife, Elika and three children.Archduchess Regina's orders were carried by her grandsons Archdukes Ferdinand-Zvonimir and Karolyi-Konstantin (son of Georg.)Tomorrow, the remains of Archduchess Regina, who was born a princess of Saxe-Meiningen, will be interred in the Saxe-Meiningen crypt at VesteHeldburg. It has not been confirmed but many believe that this is a temporary burial until Otto dies when both will be interred at the Kapuziner in Vienna.Archduchess Regina died on February 3 at her home in Pöcking. She suffered from heart disease, and was 85 years old when she died.

The marriage of the Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo, and Don Jaime deMarichalar y SaenzdeTejada, was dissolved by divorce on January 21, 2010. This was confirmed by the addition of a paragraph to Elena's biography on the Spanish royal family's official site. Don Jaime's profile has been removed from the site. He will no longer be styled as the Duke of LugoThe couple were married on March 18, 1995 at the Cathedral in Seville. They have two children, Don Felipe Juan Froilan, and Doñ Victoria Federica. The children will live with their mother.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.